2045 General Plan Researched Information You can Copy, Paste, and
Use as a Testimony in Emails, and at the Council Meetings.
Please Stand and Help Save Our Rights
Malcolm X said, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”
If you don’t stand and voice your testimony on the county 2045 General Plan, you will fall for the county taking your rights away, telling you how and where to live, and more!
The General Plan is long, and you will understand it if you read only the Objectives and Actions throughout the plan.
You will also learn a lot from my researched information below, which includes page numbers you can go to in the General Plan.
Scroll down this page, https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/action, to see the county council meetings coming up that you can attend via Zoom or in person, and the more people who stand up and go to these meetings, the better.
You'll find all the links where the below information was sourced. You can copy and paste the information below to use as your testimony if like.
This General Plan is highly vague at times. In some of their explanations, they
do not use the exact title but abbreviations, which takes time to research what
they want to implement. They should have these abbreviations in the glossary
9.f Study the feasibility, issues, and opportunities related to
the development of a TDR program to strategically preserve open space and
achieve density to remain consistent with the land use pattern in accordance
with the General Plan Land Use Maps.
TDR is the Transfer of Development Rights (the county GP does not
let us know this. I had to research to find out what TDR meant)
"A TDR program seeks to preserve landowners' asset value by
moving the right to build a house from a location where development is
prohibited (e.g., for environmental reasons) to a location where development is
encouraged."
The county will decide the “environmental reasons” for
incorporating land into the TDR program, which aims to give them full control
over all the lands on Big Island and tell us where we can live by “prohibiting”
areas from development.
"In the place where development is encouraged under TDR,
zoning is changed to permit more units to be built." This sentence
explains that a TDR program builds "units" and gives the county full
rights to tell people where they can and cannot build homes through their TDR
program.
“Because the money from this change in zoning is a windfall to
current landowners in the development zone, the state is justified in laying
claim to this money and turning it over to people whose development rights were
taken away as a result of the environmental regulation.”
9.3 Zoning, subdivision, and other
applicable ordinances shall provide for and protect open space areas.
What does the county mean by “other
applicable ordinances”? Because an Ordinance is “a law or rule made
by a government or authority” What other rules does the county want to put on
ALL of us?
9.4 Support mechanisms, such as PUD
(Planned Unit Development; the county doesn’t mention what this stands for; I
had to research it) and Cluster Plan Development (CPD), that group parcel
density to preserve open space, recreational areas, or scenic viewsheds.
"A planned unit
development, or PUD, is a community of single-family homes, and sometimes
condos or townhomes, where every homeowner belongs to a homeowners association
(HOA)."
This General Plan seems to be trying to
incorporate HOAs. The HOA fees would then go to the county, right?
General Plan Page 87
Everything below is to enforce their TDR
program.
13.1 Encourage flexibility in the design of
residential sites, buildings, and related facilities to achieve a diversity of
socio-economic housing mix and innovative means of meeting the market
requirements.
13.2 Prioritize increase in density,
rehabilitation, and redevelopment within existing zoned urban areas already
served by basic infrastructure, or close to such areas.
13.4 Encourage the rehabilitation and/or
utilization of maximum density in multi-family residential areas.
13.8 Focus on medium- and high-density
residential and commercial uses in communities that can sustain a higher
intensity of uses and where consistent with General Plan Land Use Map
and existing town character
13.9 Support the rezoning of land to
multiple residential near places of employment, retail, utilities, and
educational, recreational, cultural, and public facilities.
The GP Land Use Map has already sent
letters to private landowners saying they have “Rezoned” their Land Use
Titles. Some Land Use Titles are now recreation lands that the landowner cannot
pass on to their family or sell.
Who gives the county this right to change
Land Use Titles? How is this legal?
PLEASE OPPOSE THIS FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COMMUNITY
RIGHTS TO OWN LAND.
2045 General Plan Page 149
s 30.1 Treat broadband access as a basic utility that is
available to all communities.
The term
“broadband” refers to high-speed and high-bandwidth communication
infrastructure.
“Broadband is the transmission of
high-quality data of wide bandwidth. In its simplest form, it is a high-speed
internet connection that is always on. Broadband connections include Wi-Fi, DSLs, fiber,
and satellites.”
Broadband will always be on. The county has NOT researched the health risks of
this.
30.2
Develop and support a program of free, public-use broadband services at
appropriate County-owned facilities, mass transit facilities, and other
community anchor institutions.
What do
they mean by “community anchor institutions”? What kind of institution do they
want to create?
30.12 Plan for broadband
infrastructure to support smart grid development
The county doesn’t mention wanting to turn the Big Island into a Smart City
because implementing a Smart Grid is the first step in this process.
“A smart grid alone does three things. First, it modernizes power systems
through self-healing designs, automation, remote monitoring and control… Thus,
a smart grid sits at the heart of the smart city, which cannot fully exist without it”.
A Smart Grid
will allow them to have more control through “remote monitoring,” which will
fully take our privacy away.
“Privacy and Data Security:
Smart cities rely heavily on the collection and analysis of vast amounts of
data from sensors, cameras, and connected devices. This data is crucial for
optimizing city operations and services. However, the extensive data gathering
raises concerns about privacy infringement and data security. Citizens worry
about their personal information being accessed or misused.”
30.3 Collaborate with utility companies to incentivize the underground siting of electrical and
telecommunications facilities within public rights-of-way
30.4
Continuously improve the use of broadband communications and digital technology
to educate and provide public services with a focus on digital access.
30.5 Siting of new communications facilities shall comply with performance standards and site colocation
as stated in the Code.
The above sentences are confusing because it looks like the county doesn’t want
us to understand that to create “telecommunications facilities fully,” they
must put Fibre Cable underground; hence, they use the wording “Siting.” So, we don’t fully
understand the consequences of laying cable under streets.
I feel that they
want to confuse us because “sitting” sounds better than causing serious traffic
to dig up all the roads to lay down this kind of cable all over the Big Island,
which will cost billions.
Page 150
30.b Develop standards for the siting and construction of wireless telecommunication
facilities.
“Fibre overbuilds in the 21st century are becoming a widespread problem, with
more fibre cable being laid on streets than can ever be utilised by the
residents. Not only does this often cause mayhem on the roads, with closures
and roadworks slowing traffic, but Fibre overbuilds can lead to countless
negative effects on the environment, and the eventual rise in cost to the
consumer and developer.” https://pulsefibre.co.uk/2023/06/15/when-more-is-less-the-risks-and-downsides-of-overbuild/
General Plan Page 149
30.8 Promote and incentivize the landing
of transpacific submarine fiber optic cables
The county
is not focusing on the island’s issues, like the fact we already have serious
traffic issues. They want to create more traffic problems by laying down fibre
cable that will create a "Broadband/Smart Grid," hence a Smart City,
and they are explaining this to us by using minimal wording to confuse and
obscure their true intentions.
The county
is not acknowledging that Hawai’i Electric does not have the kind of power a
Smart Grid needs, which will add to the island's already-existing power issues.
"An update on Hawaii Island power generation – how you can help
..there’s no one to call on for backup - we’re on our own.
That’s why we will need everyone to work together over the next month, and
possibly longer, to conserve electricity. We are extremely tight on what we
call our generation margin, the margin between the demand for electricity and
our ability to supply it. This demand typically peaks on weekdays between 5 and
9 p.m. and that’s when the margin is most critical.”
The
county has not provided any information on the health risks to people, animals,
and the environment from “Broadband” which will
always be on and everywhere.
Re: The Dangers That Come with a Smart Grid
#1
John Endres
2018-Feb-23 2:31 PM
“One very critical danger that comes with a "smart grid" was not
mentioned: the adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields. Current
estimates of people experiencing adverse health effects from wireless
technology hover at around 5%--I am one of them. After the installation of a
water utility smart meter at my place of work, I experienced an escalation of
symptoms (over time) that started with headaches and ultimately culminated in a
seizure (I lost control of my legs). One month prior to the smart meter
installation I had a complete annual physical and was given a clean bill of
health. I underwent a barrage of medical tests after a week of experiencing
health symptoms (thyroid, EEG, MRI, etc.) and everything was normal. I did
begin to feel some of the painful head and eye sensations (that I would feel
near wireless sources) at the end of the MRI”.
The county does not acknowledge the health risks associated with their “Broadband/Smart
Grid” plan, all the associated issues due to putting the fibre cables
underground, or the fact that it will cost billions to create. They worded
everything in their General Plan to sound like it would benefit everyone, and
it wouldn’t!
30.9
Alleviate barriers and assist broadband projects with navigating through the
regulatory permitting process.
They say “Alleviate
barriers and assist broadband projects” are the barriers health regulations
because the broadband will be on all the time? What are the barriers the county
is wanting to alleviate to create their broadband projects?
The county
mentions Broadband and a Smart Grid is the county also planning for an increase
in cell towers? If so have they researched health issues because of cell
towers?
Cell towers
point straight to roads, homes, and commercial areas…Because the island is
mountainous, the tops of cell towers can be only a few feet from these areas.
On Palani Rd. and Queen K HWY, there are two cell towers whose tops are only a
few feet from the HWY.
On Hualalai Rd., there is a cell tower facing a retirement home and it’s less
than 100 ft away.
In Hawi town, there is a cell tower at a gas station. The top of the tower is
directly across from residential homes.
Has the county checked these places to do any research on whether people are
being affected by cell tower radiation before they keep allowing and agreeing
to more cell towers?
“Overall
results of this review show three types of effects by base station antennas on
the health of people: radiofrequency sickness (RS), cancer (C) and changes in
biochemical parameters (CBP). Considering all the studies reviewed globally (n
= 38), 73.6% (28/38) showed effects: 73.9% (17/23) for radiofrequency sickness,
76.9% (10/13) for cancer and 75.0% (6/8) for changes in biochemical
parameters...Of special importance are the studies performed on animals or
trees near base station antennas that cannot be aware of their proximity and to
which psychosomatic effects can never be attributed.”
Will there be any health and safety research and studies on what a safe
distance and a safe number of cell towers should be for human bodies, trees,
and animals?
30.i Pursue partnerships and funding for broadband initiatives and deployments
30.j Support the coordination of infrastructure projects between the public and
private sectors to create areas for the deployment of broadband zones
30.k Seek federal and other opportunities for the funding of broadband
infrastructure.
The county
seriously wants Broadband on this island and it would cause a lot more traffic,
and they say nothing about doing any research on the health risks to people,
animals, and the environment.
30.l Support the State to develop a broadband dashboard to track progress and
gaps that will inform decision-making in economic development on Hawaiʻi
Island.
Do they want
to track gaps so they can keep laying out more cable and making more traffic?
This is what it seems like to me.
30.m Foster public-private partnerships to support the development and
expansion of broadband infrastructure, including community networks.
The people that would support this are the people who would make money from
this.
Where is the health and safety research for this?
General Plan Page 87
13.13 Support master planning by public and
private institutions and landowners which emphasize TOD, affordable housing,
and mixed-use development.
TOD - Transit- Orientated Development (I had to
research what TOD meant because I didn’t see it the GP)
What is their “Master Planning” they want to
support? I don’t see any information on this.
General Plan Page 82
Page 116
19.d Identify
all roles for interdepartmental collaboration in delivering a truly multimodal
transportation system.
A multimodal
transportation system consists of more than one source of transportation to the
destination. So, do they mean we will have to take a bus and our car to get where
we want to go? Will they force us to do this through their “Ordinances”?
Page 117
20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance.
What is their “Complete Streets Ordinance”? They seem to be adding more rules, laws, and
regulations for everyone.
General Plan Page 87
13.10
Development of TODs and TNDs are encouraged within locations of the urban
centers shown on the General Plan Land Use Map. These locations are approximate
and become fixed during rezoning.
TNDs -
Traditional Neighborhood Development
TOD - Transit- Orientated Development
TOD goes
with the TDR program this is why they want to “cluster” us, “Reduced Traffic
Congestion With more people living close to transit options, there’s less need
for cars, which can reduce traffic congestion and make roads safer for
everyone.”
“While the
intention behind the TOP may be to create a more transit-friendly city, its
current form is over-constructed, overly broad, gives too much power to
developers, neglects the interests of existing businesses, and imposes
unnecessary TOD in areas where it simply isn’t warranted. The plan requires
significant revision to ensure it supports thoughtful, balanced growth that
truly benefits the community.”
What is the
county’s TOD plan? We need more buses. They don’t mention their plan and their
“ordinances” for it, if any.
General Plan
Page 86
“The Urban
Growth Areas (UGA) include highdensity Transit Oriented Development (TOD),
medium-density Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), and low-density
Urban Neighborhood Centers. These centers provide physical, social,
governmental, and economic concentrations and easier access to services,
recreation, and employment activities.”
They never
mention their exact plan for implementing a TOD plan on page 86.
They don't give any ideas of how they will increase public transportation. The
bus system has been breaking down for years and is rarely on time. They are not
clear on what they mean by this at all. They say, "are encouraged."
Big Island's public transportation needs to be addressed. How can the island
create better public transportation? They don't explain how they want to help
public transportation.
Big Island's infrastructure also needs to be seriously addressed because
traffic is increasing monthly without any sign of helping the infrastructure to
accommodate the increase in traffic.
How can they help traffic infrastructure with a mountain on one side and a
cliff on the other, with many of our roads? They don't offer any ideas.
1. Decreased Affordability and Property Values: The increased demand for
housing in TOD areas may lead to rising property values and rental costs,
potentially displacing existing low-income residents.
2. Displacement of Marginalized Communities: Gentrification can occur in TOD
neighborhoods, pushing out long-time residents and causing social and economic
disruptions.
3. Social and Cultural Homogenization: The emphasis on mixed-use developments
might inadvertently lead to the homogenization of local cultures and
businesses, eroding the unique character of the community.
4. Increased Pressure on Infrastructure: High-density developments can strain
existing infrastructure, such as transportation networks, water, and sanitation
systems, necessitating costly upgrades.
5. Unequal Distribution of Benefits: Without inclusive planning and involvement
of all stakeholders, the benefits of TOD might disproportionately favor certain
segments of the population.
General Plan Page 87
13.13
Support master planning by public and private institutions and landowners which
emphasize TOD, affordable housing, and mixed-use development.
What is their "Master Plan"? Why should it be supported? Why aren’t
they clear on all their plans and ordinances?
Page 89
13.44 The development or designation of new resort areas should complement the
character of the area; protect the environment and natural beauty; respect
existing lifestyles, cultural practices, and cultural resources; and provide
shoreline public access.
The Big Island needs homes for its residents. It does NOT need more resorts
because the island is having resource issues with the developments here now,
and many more years of already-approved developments have not been completed
yet.
HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted:
Feb 13, 2024 / 05:11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09:12 PM HST Hawaiian
Electric initiated rolling outages for Big Island after several large
generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday night.” https://www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-big-island/
Page 90
13.e Amend Zoning Code to:
i. Establish a TOD overlay zone project district with a minimum size of 15
acres.
ii. Create a TND overlay zone for existing zoned lands within identified
residential and commercial zoning districts.
iii. Allow for residential uses in ML and MCX zoning districts.
iv. Support innovative uses of alternative energy, agriculture, aquaculture,
and others, in MCX zoning district
What exactly does “Establish a TOD overlay zone project district with a minimum
size of 15 acres” mean?
What does ML and MCX stand for? These are not in their glossary, and I can't
find them in the GP or online.
Page 98
14.1 Support the State Land Use reclassification to Rural in alignment with the
General Plan Rural designation.
What is the General Plan Rural Designation?
14.2 Support reclassification/rezoning of appropriate General Plan Rural
designated areas where an intermediate land use and a well-defined buffer
between Urban and Productive Agricultural areas are consistent with the
surrounding uses and rural character.
What is the "reclassification/rezoning of appropriate General Plan Rural
designated..."?
They are
changing Land Use Titles in the GP and that NEEDS TO BE OPPOSED!
4.4 Rural-style residential-agricultural developments, such as new small-scale
rural communities or extensions of existing rural communities, should be
incentivized to cluster in appropriate locations.
They want to "cluster" residents because the word "cluster"
is used many times in this General Plan. They want to take away our rights to
live on private lands and make us live where they choose.
14.b Amend the zoning districts currently listed as Family Agricultural
District (FA) and the Residential and Agricultural Districts (RA) to be
consistent with the Rural designation and to allow for home occupations that do
not negatively impact rural character.
Would this mean the county would have the right not to approve homes on
"Rural Designated" lands if they feel it can “negatively impact rural
character”?
Page 102
15.f Update the Real Property Tax Code for agricultural land uses that result
in actual production or other public benefits, such as native forestry and the
ecosystem services that result from well managed rangelands.
What does this mean? Will they increase taxes? We need farmers to want to work
and afford life without increased taxes.
15.g Amend the Zoning Code to require Plan Approval for commercial open area
recreational uses in the Agricultural District.
How do they want to Amend the Zoning Code?
15.i Develop standards and guidelines for buffer areas located adjacent to
agricultural lands.
What does this mean? What kind of standards and guidelines do they want to
implement?
Page 108
16.6 Provide for present traffic and future demands, including the development
of mass transit programs for high-growth areas by both the private and public
sectors.
How will they do this? Traffic keeps increasing monthly, and the roads are
incredibly narrow, with a cliff on one side and a mountain on the other in many
different areas all over the island. Where is their plan for this?
Page 111
17.4 Land use applications shall identify as early as possible any existing or
potential active living corridors that should be incorporated into the County’s
open space network.
Who decides what a living corridor is? Is this the county's way of taking
private land areas away?
17.5 Ensure that existing active living corridors that are publicly owned or
available by easement are properly identified and that their access elements
are secured and documented.
b) “Acceptance” by the County of the responsibilities detailed in the grant of
easements should require County Council action and a dedicated funding source.
What does b) mean exactly? What is the "grant of easements"?
Page 116
9.2 Increase arterial capacity through prioritization of alternative means of
transportation, such as mass transit, bicycle, and pedestrian systems.
What does this mean? What is their plan? How will they make
"prioritization of alternative means of transportation"? Will we be
fined or something if we don’t follow their “alternative means of transportation”?
19.6 Use traffic demand management to aid in reducing traffic congestion by
targeting an increase of active transportation mode share to 10 percent
(bicycling, walking, micro-mobility)
What do they mean by "Use traffic demand management to aid in reducing
traffic congestion"? Will they somehow limit cars?
19.7 Concurrency reviews should incorporate reduction
in vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic impacts (e.g. the level of service) and achieve
sustainability and demand management goals.
How are they going to “reduce vehicle miles traveled to mitigate traffic
impacts”? Will we lose are right to travel?
19.a Continue to adopt the County Street design manual as the County’s complete
street design program/policy.
19.b Amend the County Code to incorporate complete street design.
What is the “County Street design manual”? I don’t see this information in the
General Plan.
19.d Identify all roles for interdepartmental collaboration in delivering a
truly multimodal transportation system.
A multimodal transportation system consists of more than one source of
transportation to get to the destination. So, do they mean we will have to take
a bus and our car to get to where we want to go? What do they mean exactly?
Page 117
20.e Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance.
What is a "Complete Streets ordinance"? Another regulation?
Page 119
22.7 Develop roadway standards to accommodate emerging technology for connected
and automated vehicles.
This needs to be opposed because the Big Island has power issues and cannot
handle all its current power needs. It does not have extra power to connect
many electric vehicles, which will only add to its power issues.
Plus, if
there is a big storm and we lose power, those electric cars cannot run, their
batteries do not decompose well, and the island needs a new way to take care of
rubbish because there is only one landfill on the island. These cars will only
add to the many issues the island already has.
25.5 Encourage the clustering of developments to reduce the cost of providing
utilities.
How will "clustering developments" reduce the cost of utilities? We all use the
same power whether we live clustered up, like the county wants, or not.
The solution to help power the island is not
"clustering" everyone. It is
asking homeowners/resorts/vacation rentals to purchase solar panels, use wind
turbines, or use other natural ways to create their own power. If everyone steps
up, we can all make good chances together.
25.6 Develop short- and long-range capital improvements programs and plans for
public utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General
Plan.
What are " short- and long-range capital improvement programs"?
25.7 Maintain an Asset Management Program aimed at utilizing maintenance plans
to prolong the life of our utilities as well as reduce whole-life costs.
What is their “Asset Management Program”?
25.a Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of
public utilities.
What is an "Impact Fees Ordinance"? More regulations?
Page 132
26.5 Ensure the highest quality of water is reserved for the most valuable
end-use.
What do they consider “the most valuable end-use” for water?
The Rosewood Resort waters its white coral road to keep the dust down. They use
hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons to water their road, even when there are
signs to conserve water.
Has the
county looked at the resort's wasteful water use? Are the resort's water use
more “valuable” than residence use?
Shouldn’t
the county have some "ordinance" against wasteful water in the resorts because
we are on an island? Why isn’t this in their General Plan?
26.6 Encourage the design of large development projects (200+ units) in the
North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, South Kona, and Kaʻū Districts to be as
water neutral as reasonably possible through water conservation, recharge, and
reuse measures to reduce the water footprint.
How can 200+ units be water-neutral?
Why is the county encouraging big developments when the island has resource issues with developments that are already here? Are they NOT paying attention to island resources?
26.7 Promote best practices in sustainable water collection and use for private
water systems.
What does this mean, “for private water systems”? Are they planning private
water systems used only by private communities or resorts?
Why hasn’t the county considered new inventions to help the island’s water
issues?
26.e Maintain the water master plan to consider water yield, present and future
demand, alternative sources of water, guidelines, and policies for the issuing
of water commitments.
What is their “water master plan”?
26.n Develop water conservation and stormwater management guidelines for
commercial, industrial, and residential properties.
What would “management guidelines” be? Would resorts be prioritized over
residences?
Page 137
27.6 Pollution shall be prevented, abated, and controlled at levels that will
protect and preserve public health and well-being through the enforcement of
appropriate Federal, State, and County standards
What pollution?
What are the Federal, State, and County standards, and how would they enforce
them?
Developments
pollute nearby water; will new developments be subjected to this? Because developments
shouldn’t pollute nearby water and it’s scientifically proven that they do. https://bigislandsupport.com/kbayinfo/
This would
be Kamehameha Schools Bungalow Resort Development, and if it goes through, it
will pollute Keauhou Bay. Will the county enforce pollution standards on them?
They should.
27.7 Ensure municipal wastewater systems serve designated Urban Growth Areas
(UGA) with the capacity to accommodate projected population growth.
27.9 Prioritize developing a multipronged approach to wastewater infrastructure
funding, including proactively seeking grant funding for wastewater system
expansion, improvements, and new development
27.11 Ensure that wastewater systems and improvements are designed and
functioning to maximize system efficiencies, prevent accidental leaks or
spills, and provide sanitary, reliable wastewater treatment that is not
negatively impacting natural resources.
They don’t mention the pollution that cesspools are causing daily. People can
use many kinds of toilets to stop using cesspools today if only the county
would approve this.
Why hasn’t the county considered new inventive toilets to help the wastewater
system?
Like the
Cinderella Incinerator Toilet to help stop pollution from cesspools and help
with the wastewater system? https://cinderellaeco.com/en-us
There are many new inventive toilets these days that can help the island’s
wastewater system, and the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet can also help conserve
water.
Page 138
27.15 Prioritize the use of gray water in areas connected to County water and
not connected to County wastewater.
Why doesn’t the county start looking for new inventions to help the island
instead of traditional sources when the island’s population is steadily growing
and needs new ideas to help? They could start considering using inventions like
these:
27.a Prioritize areas where on-site wastewater treatment should be converted to
sewer and establish financial tools such as improvement districts to aid in
implementation.
27.b Prioritize areas where wastewater treatment facilities are necessary to
facilitate future growth and utilize financing tools such as community
facilities district (CFD) or tax increment financing (TIF) to aid in
implementation.
Why doesn’t the county start considering the Cinderella Incinerator toilet or
other inventions to help with the wastewater treatment issues, especially when
this has been a serious issue for years? https://cinderellaeco.com/en-us
27.i Streamline the sewer connection loan program.
What is this loan program? Is the island going into more debt because of it?
27.j Develop wastewater cost valuation in service fees (similar to the water
model fee structure).
27.k Develop a criteria-based infrastructure prioritization tool to develop new
or expand existing municipal wastewater systems. Base these priority areas on
designated urban growth boundaries, urban zoning and density, population trends
and anticipated growth, health/safety, and environmental factors
27.l Implement innovative wastewater systems at a cost-effective scale for
small communities.
If the county starts considering new inventions and types of waste treatment
toilets, like the Cinderella Incinerator Toilet, wastewater treatment costs
would be considerably lowered. Why don’t they do this?
Page 139
27.p In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, develop a water
resource strategy for efficient agricultural water use and reuse.
28.11 The County shall ensure that golf course developments develop and
implement grading and site preparation plans to:
Why is the county still considering more golf courses when the island has water,
power, and landfill issues…?
Page 143
28.b Conduct a feasibility study to create a County Stormwater Utility before
the County reaches MS4 requirements.
28.c Update the DPW Storm Drainage Standards to reflect current data and to
incorporate strategies and standards of green infrastructure and low-impact
development.
28.d Develop drainage master plans from a watershed perspective that considers
non-structural alternatives, minimizes channelization, protects wetlands that
serve drainage functions, coordinates the regulation of construction and
agricultural operation, and encourages the establishment of floodplains as
public greenways.
31.c Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance to aide in the expansion of
County services and facilities.
What would be an “asset management program”?
What is an “Impact Fees Ordinance”? Another regulation?
Page 162
33.2 Implement waste stream technology, such as recycling and upcycling and
waste-to-energy to reduce the flow of refuse deposited in landfills.
Why doesn’t
the county start looking at how countries who have a high population are
dealing with their rubbish, to get other ideas that could help the island?
33.9 Ensure that redesign plans for landfill and transfer stations provide
adequate space for Resource Recovery (RR) Stations.
33.11 Site new solid waste/resource recovery facilities in appropriate areas
that serve the needs of population centers and minimize and mitigate negative
impacts on the environment or surrounding neighborhood. 33.12 Reduce illegal
dumping and littering.
33.13 Minimize the amount of waste generated by County facilities.
33.a Evaluate and amend the County Code to integrate strategies to maximize
landfill diversion and handle materials:
Has the county ever looked into new innovative ways to deal with rubbish:
35.f Update the County of Hawaiʻi Recreation Plan to reflect newly identified
recreational priorities.
The county has sent out letters changing private Land Use Titles to
recreational land. Does this mean they will be looking for more lands to change
their Land Use Titles into recreational lands, thereby taking their property
away by not allowing them to pass it down to family or sell it?
Why is it
legal for the county to take private lands away from people to give their lands
to recreation?
I heard these people would still have to pay the property tax on their land,
which the county wants to turn into recreational land, is this going to happen?
35.i Develop best management practices for the development and maintenance of
golf courses in collaboration with government, private and nonprofit agencies,
and other stakeholders.
Golf courses use a lot of poisons to keep their lands weed-free, and these
poisons runoff into the ocean, causing algae blooms and other pollutions. Will
the county be addressing this?
35.r Develop and implement a cemeteries master plan for the siting of future
cemeteries.
What is their “cemetery master plan”?
Pag 176
36.b Develop a medical center TOD master plan and rezone it as a Regional
Center TOD.
What is the TOD “master plan” and how will they “rezone” it?
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37.3 Prioritize new housing including the missing middle in or near mixed-use
developments, urban growth areas with infrastructure, and near existing and
proposed transit centers.
37.6 Vacant lands in the urban growth boundary (UGB) should be prioritized for
residential and supportive uses before additional agricultural lands outside
the UGB are converted into urban uses
37.c Assess and amend the land use and building regulations and explore fiscal
opportunities to support universal design principles and ADA accessibility for
more physically accessible housing.
Has the county sincerely looked at Big Island resources?
The island’s
resources need to be addressed because many years in the making, developments
have been approved to build more homes, and all of the island's resources are
having serious issues today.
Before prioritizing even more homes, before the years’ worth of homes that have
already been approved have been developed, the island's resources need to be
addressed.
38.1 Enable data-driven research to support and maintain a housing inventory
program that monitors existing housing.
What are they going to monitor, and why? Are they taking our privacy away?
Page 184
39.8 Encourage the development of workforce housing within or near urban growth
areas and employment centers and require large new developments that create a
demand for housing to provide affordable workforce housing.
Resorts on the island hire and bring in people from outside of the country.
Then they house them. This takes away homes and jobs from locals. Why doesn’t
the county prioritize these jobs and homes for locals? Why don’t the resorts on
the island hire locals who are already here and need jobs and homes?
Page 190
42.c Develop and adopt an impact fees ordinance that considers district
specific needs and excludes urban core areas where infill is encouraged.
What exactly does this mean? What are “impact fees ordinance” and “infill is
encouraged” mean?
42.d Develop a framework for a transition plan for changes in administrative
leadership to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of operations.
Why does the county need a “transition plan for changes in administrative
leadership”? What does this have to do with the GP. Shouldn’t they already have
a plan?
Page 199
44.f Partner with business associations, realtors, and the chamber of commerce
to recruit small-scale manufacturers to establish retail locations in village
and town centers to support reinvestment and match potential tenants with local
landowners.
The shops in Kailua Kona town have trouble staying open because all the private
parking lots are overcharging for parking. Why isn’t the county addressing this
issue instead of wanting to bring in more businesses that won’t be able to
survive because private parking is taking a lot of money away from businesses?
The county NEEDS to answer ALL of these questions because they are NOT clear in
what they are saying they want to do in their 2045 GP, and this plan CAN NOT go
any further UNLESS WE ALL FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR PLAN IS!
The county NEEDS to TAKE OUT ALL MENTION OF THE TDR Program because it violates
our rights to live how and where we want.
The county NEEDS TO TAKE OUT ALL MENTION OF "Broadband/Smart Grid"
and start solving traffic issues, water, power, landfill issues, and because
this will cost billions, and add a lot more problems to the Big Island.
I do not understand how to use their map that shows all the changes they want
to make on the island and all the Land Use Titles they have changed to private
lands. Can you figure out their map and see all their changes?
I have heard
the voices of people in person at the meetings who have received letters that
state the county wants to change their Land Use Titles in this General Plan.
How is changing people’s private Land Use Titles legal? This is not right.
Please look at their map because I was told that the county is changing
high-end developers' Land Use Titles so they can develop easily.
Zendo Kern has helped high-end developers many times on the island. This
planning director favors developers rather than the preservation of the land
and community voices.
For example, 18,554 people signed a petition to Save Punalu’u from development.
Hundreds of Hawaiian residents protested the housing project in Punalu’u, and
still, “Planning Director Zendo Kern has recommended that the commission
greenlight the development, writing in his 17-page report to the panel that the
project will not have any substantial adverse environmental or ecological
effect” provided that best management practices are used to mitigate any
impacts.
Kern recommended moving ahead without making the developers prepare an updated
environmental impact statement or environmental assessment because the project
did not meet the criteria set out in state law for such a requirement.”
This man is not for conserving the land, nor does he support community voices.
Please look at the map he is a part of because this man favors high-end
developers. If this map changes high-end developers' Land Use Titles to help
them develop their land easily, it could be one huge way that he supports these
developers, and this is not right for the island and the community.
